Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday categorically declared the unwavering resolve of both the political and military leadership to completely eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country, asserting that anti-terror operations would continue until the very last terrorist is eliminated from Pakistani soil.
“I want to announce this decision today, on behalf of myself, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and the Balochistan government, that we will not step back from fighting this menace. We will eliminate it by utilising all available resources, and Pakistan will become a cradle of progress and prosperity,” the prime minister said in his remarks while chairing the Provincial Apex Committee meeting on the National Action Plan.
The high-level meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar and Ahad Khan Cheema, Advisor to PM Rana Sanaullah, Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, and the heads of various law enforcement agencies.
The prime minister said that very serious incidents had taken place during the last four days, resulting in the martyrdom of policemen, soldiers, and civilians, assuring that the entire nation stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in this testing time.
Paying rich tributes to the sacrifices of the personnel of the Pakistan Army, police, LEAs, and innocent civilians, he expressed deep grief over the recent tragic incidents across Balochistan.
He informed the participants that 54 terrorists were successfully neutralized by the security forces during recent operations following the attacks.
“We will work day and night, and we will not step back until this menace is completely uprooted,” Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated.
He stated that, undoubtedly, Pakistan’s eastern neighbor was fully involved in fanning terrorism in all aspects.
“They are providing funding as well as weapons to these terrorists and their groups. Operating from Afghanistan, these terrorists collectively conduct attacks in Balochistan and KP,” he added.
“Likewise, there are also some other external hands, about which I do not want to say anything further now,” he remarked.
He said that the nefarious designs of Fitna al-Khawaraj and other hostile elements stemmed from their inability to digest Pakistan’s growing diplomatic achievements and successes on the international horizon.
“Whether it is our diplomatic successes, or last year’s four-day Marka-e-Haq – the enemies simply cannot digest the great honor Allah Almighty has bestowed upon Pakistan. They are constantly looking for ways to create difficulties for us,” the prime minister remarked.
He said these adversaries were desperate to create hurdles in Pakistan’s path to economic stability, but stressed that their malicious designs were bound to fail.
Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz prayed for peace for the martyred souls and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, praying for strength to them to bear the loss with fortitude.